Paula Erwin-Toth's blog

Paula Erwin-Toth, RN, MSN, FAAN

Hello to my wound care colleagues around the world. As I write this blog, the news relating to the results of COVID-19 continues to provide evidence of the profound impact this pandemic has had on those suffering from the disease and the negative impact shut downs and quarantines have had on the health of people with chronic illnesses. We, as health care providers, are under tremendous stress as many of us have been re-deployed to maintain and support the overwhelming challenges of front-line health care providers serving patients with COVID-19. We, too, are on the front lines helping to maintain skin integrity in critically ill patients who are often intubated and placed in the prone position. The physical, emotional, and financial strains on patients, health care providers, businesses, and governments are going to affect us for years to come.

Paula Erwin Toth, RN, MSN, FAAN, WOC nurse

Northeast Ohio is now being enveloped by a polar vortex. The subzero temperatures put everyone at risk, but our patients with chronic wounds are especially vulnerable. Neuropathy can desensitize them to the cold and result in frostbite, inadequate shelter and heat, and an inability to go to health care appointments, shop for food, or pick up (or even afford) prescriptions and wound care products. This can have devastating effects.

Paula Erwin Toth, RN, MSN, FAAN
WOC nurse

November is National Family Caregiver Month. Family caregivers are the unsung heroes of the health care team. Without their loving care, hard work, and dedication our health care delivery system would crash and burn. They are the ones continuing our plans of care in the home. They are the nurse, physician, physical therapist, nursing assistant, home health aide, counselor, and social worker all rolled into one. They are expected to grasp complex care techniques that years ago were carried out only in the hospital.

Paula Erwin Toth, RN, MSN, FAAN
WOC nurse

by Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN

Tradition claims March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb. Depending on where you live, March is in a full-throated roar! Kids are thinking about spring break, and the spring holidays are just around the corner, as is the dreaded annual spring cleaning ritual. Most of us are striving to achieve a work-life balance. Part of that endeavor requires us to take time for ourselves to ensure we meet our professional goals.

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN

On April 26, 2017, I presented a webinar on the topic of Moisture-Associated Skin Damage (MASD) as part of WoundSource's webinar series on skin and wound related topics. MASD is a general term that encompasses a variety of skin injuries which involve excessive hydration of the skin. A strong knowledge of MASD can help clinicians in the assessment, prevention and treatment of the various types of moisture related skin injuries. During the informative presentation, I discussed such topics as:

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN

As we embark on our journey into 2017, many are concerned about the road ahead. A new President and GOP dominated Congress have promised to make health care reform a priority. There have been numerous articles and opinion pieces written about the path these changes will take and what they will mean to patients, caregivers, and clinicians alike.

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN

November marks the beginning of National Family Caregiver Month. Many of us are not only health care providers, but we are also family caregiver; some of us are part of the so-called sandwich generation. Caring for aging parents along with raising children can leave you feeling squeezed in the middle. While being a family caregiver can be incredibly rewarding, it can be a challenge physically, emotionally and financially. Caring for a loved one with a chronic wound can be especially daunting since the time, skill and dedication required can be overwhelming. This is especially true for family caregivers who suddenly find themselves needing to learn a multitude of health related skills.

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN

My last blog discussed the need to be high touch in a high-tech environment. This generated a lot of discussion among readers. Everyone agreed 'high touch' is important, but wondered what can we do to actually create that environment in all clinical settings?

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN

What's the best approach to wound management: use of the latest advanced technology or "back to basics" treatment methods? How many times have you, the experienced wound clinician, been asked this question? It is only natural for people (especially patients and their families) to gravitate to a solution that seems to offer a quick fix for a very complex problem.